Strengthening industry bonds

By Jesse Sanchez.

Connecting contractors, manufacturers and raw material vendors through open communication, collaborative research and industry-driven innovation.

In this Coatings Cast™, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Ryan Blad, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) treasurer, at the organization’s meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota, to discuss how RCMA facilitates these crucial connections. Ryan shared the importance of vendors working together with manufacturers, explaining that nearly every major distributor of chemicals supplying the industry is involved in these discussions.   

In an industry where innovation and efficiency are paramount, collaboration between contractors, manufacturers and raw material vendors is key. RCMA is at the forefront of fostering these relationships, ensuring that product performance aligns with contractor needs and sustainability goals.

One of the most significant takeaways from the discussion was the role raw material vendors play in long-term product performance and sustainability. As the coatings industry evolves, research into raw materials is driving improvements in durability, efficiency and environmental impact. Ryan expressed this by explaining, “You can see when she paints the picture for sustainability of how coatings really fit that key, that void, to be able to solve that problem. Buildings need to become more and more efficient. Roof coatings allow building owners to be able to do this for much less cost.”

As Ryan put it, “We’re doing research that’s very important, but we got to be able to convey that to the people that are installing it. And at the end of the day, they may not care about the research, but they care about how it affects their products and how it’s going to make their laborers faster, better and how the materials are going to work longer.” This intersection of research, vendor input and contractor feedback are what makes RCMA meetings so valuable. They provide a platform for manufacturers and vendors to hear firsthand from contractors about their pain points — whether it’s sustainability concerns or something as simple as coatings clogging spray guns. By fostering these conversations, RCMA ensures that coatings continue to evolve to meet industry needs.

Read the transcript, Listen to podcast or Watch to webinar to learn more about how these collaborations are shaping the future of roof coatings and sustainability!